Support for student with disabilities

SUPPORT

for students with disabilities* Neuro-diverse Mental health Sensory Long term medical conditions

*Equality Act 2010

At Brunel University London we put in place support and reasonable adjustments for a broad range of students who are considered to have disabilities under the Equality Act 2010. Please email wellbeing@brunel.ac.uk for information or with any queries.

These include:Neurodiverse students • Specific learning difficulties • Such as dyslexia and dyspraxia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia (including ADHD) • Autistic Spectrum Disorders Mental health conditions Including anxiety, depression, eating disorders, bipolar disorder and personality disorders Chronic health conditions For example; diabetes, cancer, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, HIV, Crohn’s disease and arthritis Sensory and physical conditions • Including wheelchair users, or those who have other mobility difficulties • Those who are deaf or hard of hearing • Those who are blind or partially sighted

Arranging Support and Reasonable Adjustments

Types of Evidence

The Student Wellbeing team are there to make sure that you have the right support and reasonable adjustments for your time at Brunel University London. They’re based on the third floor of the Bannerman Building (Library).

Specific Learning Difficulties – including Dyslexia/Developmental Coordination Disorder (Dyspraxia)

In order to have support, or any reasonable adjustments (such as extra time) you need to have a Support Profile which is created by either a Disability or Mental Health Adviser. If you want to find out more email: wellbeing@brunel.ac.uk Alternatively, you can book an appointment with a Disability or Mental Health Adviser by contacting studentsupport@brunel.ac.uk or you can go to the Student Centre if you prefer booking the appointment in person.

Evidence of your disability is required when you set up your support and reasonable adjustments.

You need a full diagnostic report carried out by a qualified and registered Specialist Teacher/Assessor or Psychologist. Diagnostic reports must be in English. All evidence written in another language must be translated by a qualified transcription service and formally authenticated as such.

• AD(H)D In Higher Education a diagnostic report can be evidence of probable AD(H) D. It focuses on its impact on learning. It is categorised as a Specific Learning Difficulty.

Evidence from a medical professional can also be used as long as it mentions the impact of AD(H)D on your learning.

• Autistic Spectrum disorder You need appropriate medical evidence or a Clinical Psychologist report.

• Mental health conditions You need appropriate medical evidence, this could be from a GP or Psychiatrist. It cannot be from your therapist. It needs to specify that it is a long term condition.

• Chronic health conditions You need appropriate medical evidence, this could be from a GP or appropriate specialist medical consultant. It needs to specify that it is a long term condition.

• Sensory and physical conditions You need appropriate medical evidence, this could be from a GP or appropriate specialist medical consultant.

If you have questions about the suitability of your evidence, please email wellbeing@brunel.ac.uk

Disabled Students’ Allowance The Disabled Students’ Allowance provides a large range of support for all home students with a disability. These can include:• 1 to 1 specialist support from a Study Skills Tutor or Specialist Mentor • Computer Software • Laptop • Ergonomic Equipment • Taxis Disability or Mental Health Advisors at Brunel can tell you more about DSA and guide you through the process. Find out more at https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances- dsas/further-information International students can talk to their Disability or Mental Health Advisor about support and they are encouraged to contact their home government for information on any funding that may be available.

DSA application process 1. Apply for the DSA • Go to DSA tab in your Student Finance Portal or download DSA1 forms from student finance provider • Submit or email form with your evidence 2. Book your Needs Assessment • Book your Needs Assessment when emailed by finance provider • Afterwards you will receive a report setting out your support requirements (see below for more information) 3. Ordering equipment & support • Finally, an email (DSA 2) will detail suppliers of your funded support and equipment • Contact Disability or Mental Health advisers to help you set this up You need to complete all of these steps to receive any funded support. Also, if you select the consent to share information boxes on the application Advisers can talk to your finance provider on your behalf.

Needs Assessment At a Needs Assessment you will discuss all your support needs with the Assessor.

The Needs Assessor will determine your support package whilst at university. This might include specialist equipment and 1 to 1 support. The Needs Assessor will write a report setting out your support requirements and who will supply the support.

The DSA will identify a list of Needs Assessment providers. One of these, West London Assessment Centre (WLAC), is based in Brunel.

Arranging support at university Providing you have given consent, a copy of your Needs Assessment will be sent to Student Wellbeing as well as yourself. We will contact you but you can also contact us to request an appointment.

Disability and Mental Health Advisers can help you set up your DSA funded support.

If you have been recommended a Laptop, Brunel will fund the £200 towards it which your DSA will not pay. They can also arrange any Non-Medical Help (NMH) such as a Specialist Mentor or a Study Skills Tutor which is supplied by Brunel.

Progress check If at any stage you want to check the progress of your application you can call your DSA provider or email wellbeing@brunel.ac.uk so we can follow up your application.

No Diagnostic Report?

We always recommend getting your diagnostic report before you go to university, as this will help to ensure that your support and adjustments are in place when you start your course.

If you do not have a formal diagnosis, book an appointment with a Dyslexia Adviser for a screening appointment. After we have received and reviewed your screening document, you may be referred to an assessor for a full diagnostic assessment.

Contact us to arrange any appointment - studentsupport@brunel.ac.uk.

Alternatively you can go to the Student Centre if you prefer booking the appointment in person.

Types of Support and Reasonable Adjustments at Brunei University London

Support and Advice for all Students

Students at Brunel must create a Support Profile in order to have any support or reasonable adjustments put in place. This is based upon a discussion with an adviser and will be based upon your individual needs. Once you have a support profile it is important that you discuss it with your academic or personal tutor so that they fully understand your situation.

There are Academic Liasion Librarians who are knowledgeable about specific subject areas. They can help you find appropriate and relevant sources of information.

Typical adjustments can include: • Additional time (usually 25%) for examinations and in class tests* • Rest breaks or bathroom breaks

Library Support

Librarians also provide a range of resources. You can find out more from their website. www.brunel.ac.uk/life/library ASK ASK provide study advice in all disciplines and at all levels of academic study—from undergraduate to PhD. They can help:

• Use of a computer access to assistive technology, such as read aloud programmes

• Develop more effective practices for studying at university

• Provision of exam papers with enlarged fonts or on coloured paper, or coloured overlays

• Make studying less stressful

• Students may be permitted to present to the tutor only rather than to the whole group *Students with disabilites will not be given automatic extensions for coursework unless they are considered a fluctuating condition. However, extensions can be made where there are Extenuating Circumstances (EC). Additional evidence may be required to support EC requests.

Assistive Technology and Assistive Technology Centre Brunel University London provides a well-equipped Assistive Technology Centre for students with disabilities where our specialist software is updated regularly. We also provide on-hand technical advice and training from the Assistive Technology Adviser. In addition, ATC runs a loan equipment scheme to provide students with key assistive equipment.

Sensory Room The Sensory Room provides a safe, calm space for students identified as needing a stimulating environment like this.

The opening of the Sensory room is subject to government guidelines.

• Have a clearer understanding of what tutors expect • Achieve better marks Students at Brunel can find lots of helpful resources on Blackboard Meeting House The Meeting House is a space for all students. It has a ‘quiet’ room for peaceful prayer, reflection and meditation, as well as a lounge area where you can chat and unwind.

Contacts Appointments To make an appointment with a disability or mental health advisor to discuss your support plan, please contact our Student Support and Welfare Team +44 (0)1895 267045 studentsupport@brunel.ac.uk Advice and information For any quick query in regards to your disability for example exams or reasonable adjustments please contact Student Wellbeing directly at wellbeing@brunel.ac.uk Useful Links Disability and specific learning difficulties Mental wellbeing services Support for post graduate students Policy to support students with additional needs